Diction- After the Race

James Joyce use of diction in “After the Race” represents those of an upper class. When looking at the characters, their accent and language portrays their wealthy lifestyle. This is very unusual for Joyce as normally he would use the colloquial language that is linked with the Irish working class. I think that his language changed in after the race due to the introduction of characters from other countries such as France and America. Joyce keeps some authenticity in “After the Race” as it is in the third person perspective. He does this by using the vocabulary of an Irish man. For example “was in good humor” and “the young men sat down to it for form’s sake”.

I think the diction in this story is not very effective compared to Joyce’s other stories because it not directly involved with the Irish and has mixture of different nationalities. “Jimmy” the protagonist, speaks very little through the novel therefore the diction in the story is very suited to international vocabulary. I do how ever the diction emphasizes the theme of the story; don’t try becoming wealthier if you’re Irish because you will only be worse off in the end”.

I didn’t like the diction in this story as I don’t think it gives James Joyce’s talents justice. I find that in other stories such as “The Boarding House” the diction is a lot more vernacular and gives a better view of Irish life.

http://www.cosmoetica.com/B206-DES147.htm